Merry Christmas!
I hope you had a joyful Christmas Day with those you love. We were blessed with wonderful crowds at our Christmas Masses this year, and it was a joy to welcome so many visitors and friends to St. Francis Xavier as we celebrated the birth of the newborn King. Below are a few photos of the church decorated for Christmas.
This year we were also blessed to introduce a new nativity scene in the church. The set comes from the same parish as our high altar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, creating a beautiful continuity with the sacred pieces now part of St. Francis Xavier.
Several of the figures underwent restoration work this fall, with additional pieces to be restored after Christmas, as part of an ongoing effort to care for this historic set. This nativity scene is dedicated to the Corcoran family, through the generosity of Walter and Carol Corcoran, whose gift has made this restoration and presentation possible. We are deeply grateful for their gift.
A special word of thanks as well to Lucas da Costa, our seminarian, who arranged the nativity so beautifully. His care and creativity brought the scene to life and helped make it a place of prayer and wonder for so many this Christmas.
Several of the figures underwent restoration work this fall, with additional pieces to be restored after Christmas, as part of an ongoing effort to care for this historic set. This nativity scene is dedicated to the Corcoran family, through the generosity of Walter and Carol Corcoran, whose gift has made this restoration and presentation possible. We are deeply grateful for their gift.
A special word of thanks as well to Lucas da Costa, our seminarian, who arranged the nativity so beautifully. His care and creativity brought the scene to life and helped make it a place of prayer and wonder for so many this Christmas.
Pope Leo's Christmas Message
Thank you!
I want to take a moment to say thank you. On behalf of Deacon David and myself, thank you to all who wished us a Merry Christmas, sent cards or notes, or shared a kind word or gift. Your thoughtfulness means more than you know, and we are truly grateful.
Thank you to our altar servers, sacristans, lectors, and ushers for all the extra time and care you gave to the Christmas Masses. Your presence and generosity helped everything run smoothly and prayerfully.
A special word of thanks to Mrs. Louise Hebert and her helpers for making the church look so beautiful for Christmas.
Thank you as well to Jono and Allison, our musicians, for the beautiful music offered at the Christmas Masses.
Thank you to our altar servers, sacristans, lectors, and ushers for all the extra time and care you gave to the Christmas Masses. Your presence and generosity helped everything run smoothly and prayerfully.
A special word of thanks to Mrs. Louise Hebert and her helpers for making the church look so beautiful for Christmas.
Thank you as well to Jono and Allison, our musicians, for the beautiful music offered at the Christmas Masses.
Finally, thank you to all who supported the Giving Tree, Shoes for Rwanda, and the baby item collections this month. The generosity shown this Christmas season has been remarkable. Thank you for taking care of others.
Christmas Gift from the Parish
As part of our Christmas celebration, we were happy to offer a small door gift at the Christmas Masses this year. The wooden ornament features the parish logo, and it was chosen as a way to mark our 100th anniversary year and to thank you for your support of the Capital Campaign.
If you did not have a chance to pick one up at Christmas, we do still have some available. They will be at the church doors this weekend. Please feel free to take one per household, so that as many families as possible can enjoy this small gift from the parish.
If you did not have a chance to pick one up at Christmas, we do still have some available. They will be at the church doors this weekend. Please feel free to take one per household, so that as many families as possible can enjoy this small gift from the parish.
We are also keeping our homebound parishioners in mind and will be sharing this small Christmas gift with those who were not able to be with us in person.
"Adoration and Apps"
An evening of Adoration and praise and worship
Friday, January 9th
6:00-7:00pm
All are invited to join us for "Adoration and Apps", an evening of Eucharistic Adoration and praise and worship music in the church, led by Liz Cotrupi-Pfunder.
This night is especially intended as a chance for parents and couples to step away from the busyness of daily life and spend some quiet, prayerful time with the Lord, though everyone is very welcome.
Those who wish are encouraged to continue the evening afterward with a date night or dinner out at a local restaurant.
Those who wish are encouraged to continue the evening afterward with a date night or dinner out at a local restaurant.
A Note on Parish Safety
I want to bring to your attention that, recently, on a weekday during the day, an individual entered the church during Adoration and behaved in a way that caused concern. Out of an abundance of caution, the police were contacted and are aware of the situation. No one was harmed, and the individual left before police arrived.
We are reviewing our safety procedures and taking appropriate steps to ensure the continued well being of everyone who worships here.
As always, if you notice anything unusual or concerning, please call 911. Thank you for helping us keep our parish a safe and welcoming place.
We are reviewing our safety procedures and taking appropriate steps to ensure the continued well being of everyone who worships here.
As always, if you notice anything unusual or concerning, please call 911. Thank you for helping us keep our parish a safe and welcoming place.
Adoration Safety Meeting
Thursday, January 8th at 6:30pm
All adorers are encouraged to attend this brief meeting, where we will hear from members of our Parish Safety Committee and representatives from the Acushnet Police Department. We will review safety best practices during Adoration and discuss practical steps we can take together to ensure a prayerful and secure environment.
Please mark your calendar and consider joining us.
Please mark your calendar and consider joining us.
On the Bulletin Cover This Weekend...
Saint Caterina Volpicelli (21 January 1839 – 28 December 1894)
Feast Day: Dec 28
Canonized in 2009
A Neapolitan foundress whose passionate love for the Eucharist and service to others led her to establish the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, inspiring generations with her devotion and charity.
Supporting Abundant Hope Through Our Youth Group
Jay Hamel and the Youth Group will be collecting baby items for Abundant Hope Pregnancy Resource Center throughout the entire month of December.
A pack-and-play has been set up in the back of the church to receive donations. Abundant Hope serves more than 70 babies every month, and they are especially grateful for new diapers of all sizes (newborn through size 7) and new warm clothing for infants and toddlers. Items will be delivered to Abundant Hope at the beginning of January.
Thank you for supporting this important work for mothers and babies in our community.
Thank you for supporting this important work for mothers and babies in our community.
2026 Catholic Calendars
The 2026 Catholic calendars are available at the church doors. Please feel free to pick one up. Special thanks to Acushnet Creamery for once again sponsoring the calendars this year.
Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass Feb 8th
Contact the SFX office to register: 508-995-7600
Thank You for the Birthday Wishes!
On Christmas, I entered my "Jesus year," turning 33. Thank you to all who wished me a happy birthday yesterday after Mass. I was grateful for the kind words and prayers, and I was able to spend some time later in the day with my family.
Here’s a photo with my mom and my nephew (who is distracted by his fingers) from Christmas. Thank you again for your kindness and for making it a joyful day.
Here’s a photo with my mom and my nephew (who is distracted by his fingers) from Christmas. Thank you again for your kindness and for making it a joyful day.
Mass Times
Sunday: 8:00 AM | 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
M, T, Th, F, S: 9:00 AM
Sunday: 8:00 AM | 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
M, T, Th, F, S: 9:00 AM
First Friday: 9:00 AM | 6:00 PM
Adoration Times
Monday-Friday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-8:30pm
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-8:30pm
Wednesday
6:30am-8:30pm
Saturday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-2:45pm
6:30am-8:30pm
Saturday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-2:45pm
Confession Times
Monday: 5:30–6:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30–10:00 AM | 3:00–3:45 PM
Monday: 5:30–6:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30–10:00 AM | 3:00–3:45 PM
First Friday: 6:45–7:15 PM
Anytime by Appointment
To add someone to this weekly newsletter, they can either text the word ACUSHNET to 84576 or sign up at sfxparish.flocknote.com.